Lucas and his Tennis Lessons

Lucas loves his tennis lessons with Mel.

He has 1-1 twice a week Mondays and Wednesdays - 45 minutes each lesson.   This is his "time".  He really loves his lessons.  It is great seeing him do something he really enjoys! - I am not a pushy parent, he does really enjoy his time with Mel - and it shows!

Lucas has big problems at School with PE as it is "Group Work", and there is lots of distractions and this is still a major weak area at School, but when he is with Mel, the weakness is a strength, as 1-1 always works best with him.   Mel also works on his fitness, she is his "Personal Trainer"   Mel Rules!  We love Mel.... :-)

A small group of children always have a lesson straight after Lucas' on Monday (I think they are one of the Mini Tennis Squads) - and Lucas has been bonding with these children for a few months now, Mel has been encouraging me to let him stay and do their Warm-Up exercise with them - and next Monday Lucas will be joining their Squad for the full Session.   This is a massive step for Lucas.  This is "Joining a Group" but Mel has done lots of preparation and ground work, and it is only a little Group, and there is a Lucas 2 in the Group too...  Of course, 1-1 lessons will still continue! but, this small step could be a big one! 

Wish us luck!

Best wishes to all

A Helping Hand

Hello everyone, I thought I would write a quick note about 2 very useful Visual Aids I have and if any fellow UK ASD Parents read this and do not have them, I recommend them to them.

Since Lucas' Diagnosis, I was advised to apply for a HAND Card, and this is fantastic, it allows discounted child access and free carer access to lots places and in some Theme Parks it also allows Queue Jumping and  gives a "Made to Feel Very Special" status to your child too.  Legoland is fantastic, it has a policy for "Children who cannot queue" and   Many places have extra conditions attached too (bring your DLA letter with you etc) but the majority of places accept them and help make your day a fun one.    Butterly Steam Rail Centre was awesome! - especially when my little Train Enthusiast was taken to meet the Driver - a little dream came true...

The card also helps as a major Visual Support (wow I have been going to TOO MANY COURSES! I am using "Buzz Words" and Phrases automatically now..) when you have a Problem with a "well meaning Member of Public"... one flash of these cards and suddenly "The Busy Body" is your new best friend....

I get very flustered and tongue-tied when under stress, but have found that "one flash of the cards" and my problems get smaller.... they are worth it.

These are the 2 cards that I "won't leave home without"

The 2nd card is just as brilliant - and you can buy these from the National Autistic Society for £2.50 for 50.

It says:

-------------------------------------------------------

"This person has Aspergers Symdrome

* Asperger Syndrome is a lifelong disability that affects social and communication skills

* People with AS may behave unpredictably as a result of their difficulty understanding body language and social skills

*  People with AS are likely to be extremely anxious in unfamiliar situations

*  Please help by being understanding, patient and tolerant

For further information contact The Autism Helpline 0845 0704004 or www.autism.org.uk - it also has the official Logo too

---------------------------------------------------------
a very handy Visual Aid!

I hope this post has been helpful - as these two small pieces of card are very helpful for me.

Best wishes to all

A very busy day...

Hello Blogland

How are you this fine Thursday?

I am writing this at 16.03 - in between meetings.   I am having a mad meeting day!!

I am being overrun in School activities this week but there is light at the end of the tunnel.    Yesterday I went to my second Angels meeting.  This was actually really good - I was able to create some Visual Aids - flashcards with smiley faces and clock faces to (hopefully!) help with Lucas and his time keeping.   Realistically - I was in autopilot, just going through the motions.   Today - I have been in 100% autopilot - this is my day so far....

9.am - get Lucas to New School - as today is "New School Day" - all the New Pupils spent the morning at Lucas' New School - this was interesting as we had to get there before 9am and drop him off with his New Teacher - a practice run for September!

Result...   9.am - Lucas is sitting cross-legged in the Hall of his new School with all his friends.   He didn't even notice I had left him there.   A few other mums had tears in their eyes  

End of Meeting one.   Relatively Stress Free too!

Meeting 2 - was 2 hours long - it was the last week of The Parents of ASD Children Course.   This was a heavy meeting, quite deep and meaningful, it covered lots of very important areas, and included an in-depth conversations on both Bullying and Medication - which I was able to contribute to both.   My Snowball Anecdote for Bullying and the Melatonin is my BEST FRIEND FOREVER story for the medication.

Meeting 2 was very hard work - but... there was CAKE!! - yay! Chocolate Cake, and Some Nice Sponge Cake and a Warm Apple Flan - Cakes were worth it.

Meeting 2 ended and so did the Course - everyone promises to keep in touch with everyone else - and we all get a certificate.

Meeting 3 - Lucas' Support Worker Person - 1 hour 45 minutes! - another heavy meeting! - but this one also covered lots of areas.   She has been working with Lucas and told me how much she loved working with him - and how much of a charming lovely little boy he was - and yes I took the opportunity to ask her from a Layperson's view - what she really thought of his ASD.   She was able to confirm that he is definitely an ASD ADHD HF Child, but he is also very lovely and extremely clever - she was also able to tell me he was going to be a Train Driving Tennis Player that was going to Invent a Ball that always returned to him, so he can win lots of trophies.

Summary... a heavy meeting, very heavy meeting, but lots of loose ends have been tied, and also lots of new pointers are being prepared ready for his new school....

NEXT MEETING - 6PM - AT HIS NEW SCHOOL -

TO....... BE................  CONTINUED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

22:00 - Oh I am SO tired! - I am exhausted.  

The New School Meeting was my final meeting of the day - I met Lucas' new Teacher.  She seems very nice.  I told her about The Colour Purple, and how much this means to Lucas (the REAL COLOUR PURPLE! - not the Whoopii Goldberg film) - I also told her I am only down the Road if I am needed and I will be at the school faster than you can say - "Can I have a word....."

I spent half an hour looking round the School  feeling very small and confused - then we were ushered into the Big Hall for the Official Meeting of the Headmistress, and all the Teachers.   I listened intently to everything she said - and think I may have forgotten everything already.   It seems like it will be ok.   She drummed in the fact that they are all approachable, and - OH this is a scary time, I am sure Lucas will be fine.

I feel that now all the good things that were in place at his Old School have the potential to unravel - and it is my responsibility to make sure this does not happen.   And THIS is causing me to have a massive headache. STILL, I have done all the ground work now, all we can do is light that touch paper and watch the new chapter of Lucas' School Life take off!

(New School starts September 4 - Old School Ends July 20)

Thanks for READING!

Oh and Emily! - if you read this - thank your Mum for the chat afterwards!! - it was really appreciated - your Mum is worth her weight in Gold, but you know that already.... How is Lady Shasta?

The Olympic Flame!

Last Sunday "The Olympic Flame" was due to go through our Town, the runners were set to run 5 minutes walk away from our house.

We braved the rain and walked to the start.   We got there in perfect time, and chose the best place to stand! as the Parade Bus (that holds the Mother Flame) stopped right next to Lucas.   Lucas got to see the flame very closely and also got to see how the Film Crew and Interview People work as the Chosen Runner was also standing right next to Lucas - Lucas got a real "behind the scene" action view - he could have touched the torch! - but didn't.

Lucas was fascinated! and could not believe he had seen the Flame.   He is now really excited about the Olympics.... so we are going to try and take him to as many different events as we can.

We are really looking forward to seeing some old Friends again that are also coming to the Olympics.   Please can somebody bring the Sunshine!!! - Muchas Gracias!

A sense of Pride

Lucas has School Dinners.   I insist that he has school dinners as this teaches good manners and social skills - and the dinner ladies secretly watch to make sure all children eat their dinner and there is a safety net to make sure nobody goes hungry.  They have a very good system, and Lucas loves the Dinner Ladies.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Lucas was very proud of himself.   And, of course, I was very proud of him too.

Every week his School Headmistress has a "Top Table" on Wednesday Lunch times - and she invites 1 child from each class to join her at her table, based on their behaviour, and achievements from the past week - Lucas was chosen yesterday! - Wednesday.   He was very proud! - and, of course, he was very good at the table too.

A very proud Parent.

Today was Week 5 of The Course.    So, of course we had a Fire Alarm.  That was fun.
One more week to go......

After the course I dashed back across Town to meet My Coffee Buddy - we were determined... we were going to have our Coffee Afternoon - We went to a Village Tea Shop (which was VERY Ye Olde Englishe Tea Shoppee indeed...)  - bone china tea cups (all odd for the character!) and full of "Ladies that Lunch".  

SO... we thought... Oh Well - if you can't beat them... you must join them.... SO Today We were Officially
"Ladies that Lunch".... we will just have to dress and wear the Fascinators next time... :)

So, today has been hectic, but ended up with some Fun.

This week has been positive - (and yes... I am still that Proud Parent..... )

I went to the new group today.   This is the Group my doctor wanted me to join a year ago but I was too afraid to walk into the group on my own.

My friend from "The Course" said - "We will go together!!! United we Stand!" - so I said - Ok, we will.

I forgot today was Wednesday.   I forgot completely.

I did the school run! - we were late! - but I managed to sneak Lucas through the door as it was still open.   One teacher was really nice and we had a chat about Eczema - and the other Jobsworth Teacher came along and gave me a lecture.... (Teacher 1 kept catching my eye - saying "don't worry... its ok.... smile... behind Teacher 2's back - so this was quite amuzing).

It was a spur of the moment decision.

Then I saw my Coffee Buddy and we arranged our Coffee Afternoon to put the world to rights.... the one we cancelled yesterday...

I was just confirming - when from the Other Side of the Road - a voice showed "YOU OK FOR TODAY?????" - it was my Group friend....   That Rock and Hard place really pops up at an awkward time...   Luckily, very very luckily, Coffee Buddy said - Yes! she is! she will be there! - (who's side are you on? I am just about to stich you up again!!!) - She said - Coffee THURSDAY....

SO... long story even longer - can you tell I ramble-type alot?

I went to the Scary Group with my Course Friend.

WE GOT THROUGH THE DOORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And it turned out My Course Friend knew a few people there.

OK.... Louise's assessment of the Group.

It is a very useful Group.
It is well run and very well organised.
The Group People know seem to know what they are talking about 
People in the Group have been going for over 8 years!!!!!!!!!!!
Some People in the Group made me feel very humble 


Note to self - stop it - you have every right to be in that Group - Your Doctor and Various Other People have been forcing you to go there.   Get OUT of De Nile! - that's a river in Egypt.   Go back next week and milk the Group for information and use it.


End of note to self.

It is Week 5 of - The Course - tomorrow.

End of Ramble-typing

A New Support Group

Today I went to a New Support Group meeting, with a friend.   It is the Group my PSW has been trying to get me to join - so mission accomplished - I did it today! - yay me!

Eczema Strikes Back!

Yesterday I defeated the Depression Gremlin! - yay - ok I managed to cram him into a cupboard and lock the door.   Hopefully he will stay away for a few days.   (thank you for your support).

This morning was a busy day for Lucas - he is in "School Transition" - Scary!!! - this means he is going up to his new school a lot this week to get to know his new teachers - and the days he doesn't go to his new school,  his new teachers come down to his school.  Its nice they are doing this - and they have also arranged extra sessions for Lucas and some other Spectrum Children, to make the transition fun for them

So far so good.... Lucas seems to be happy..... everything is fine!

This morning - I got Lucas ready for school - and he said - Mummmieeeee I am really itchy.....

The alarm bells started to ring, I looked at his chest, and he was covered in a rash - and spots too! - big spots.   I recognised the rash as Eczema, as he had this as a baby, and 3 year old, but this had disappeared.

This morning it returned.    My brain went into First Aid Overdrive..... of course the spots did not disappear when I ran a glass on them, I spent 20 minutes on hold to the Dr booking an appointment - I won a prize! - I won a 11.15am appointment!!

I took Lucas to school, we were already late, so I went straight to sign the Naughty Parents Late Book -and spoke to the HeadMistress too saying he had a Doctors Appt at 11.15.   She was great! - really understanding!!! - and also said, pick him up at his new School, he will be there ready for you.  

Had to cancel my Coffee Morning.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! - but Nicky was understanding, and then told me about the children she knew with Chicken Pox -  NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOO I don't want Chicken Pox!! - please just ezcema.... - we put in a good word for Ezcema.

Picked Lucas up from his new school to be... wow - that is one way to meet his new Headmistress - and she told me - take him back to his current school :) - its ok it is walking distance between them.

Lucas was very very very good waiting at the Doctors.   Luckily he only had to wait 2 or 3 minutes! - maybe they have flagged his notes?  Maybe - it would be nice to think so.  We were straight in.

The Nurse had a look at Spotty.

NO CHICKEN POX, NO Meningitus (phew) - "just spots" - but lots of Exzema errupting - has he got any life changing or worrying events coming up?  

Oh let me think...... HE IS CHANGING SCHOOLS - yep that's the trigger.

Now I have gallons of sludge emollion cream (it is really yucky) and some hydrocortizone cream too - I really do not like him having this.... but hey.

SO - that was my day.   Lucas was a little angel - itchy and scratchy but very lovely.

Coffee has been deferred to TOMORROW!

Thanks for reading!!!!

Attack of the Depression Gremlin!!!

Attack of the Depression Gremlin!!!!!!

Last night - about 9pm (Sunday) - I got attacked by the Depression Gremlin.   I think he may have been influenced by Harry Potter as it felt like I had an Invisibility Cloak wrapped round me so tightly I could not breathe!

He crept up behind me and got me by stealth.

He has sapped all my energy from me and filled my head with negative thoughts.  Its not nice - and (as at the time of typing he is still in control).

This morning I wiped my Facebook account, and then my Twitter account - both with tears freely falling, it is hard to explain, but this happened.   I also cut my friend off on Skype - how rude of me! - but I think she will understand.   I could not face anything, and proceeded to wipe clean everything online.  

Its quite a surreal experience, "clensing?" "spiritual?" anyway it was an experience - and this, my dear Blog is is what I did today.

I also had a Parent Support Meeting - which I decided not to go to.   I could not face it.   There was no point! - The Depression Gremlin was in control of me, so I cancelled the meeting, by text.   I felt unwell; mentally unwell.

Social Networking - a mathematical lesson.

I am addicted to Facebook.

There you go - I have admitted it - I should join a Group - maybe I should get Therapy.

The reason I am so addicted as it is a connection to all my friends.   It stops the loneliness of being a stay at home mum.

It is my choice to be a stay at home mum, but to be honest there is no choice I have to be one.   

Facebook allows me to keep in touch with all my long-lost friends.   I have dreams that I will meet up with them again - and I have goals to make sure these dreams are reality.

My American Friend is in China - and crazily now she is in China, thanks to Social Networking, we are in more communication that ever before - on a daily basis - its like virtual Starbucks when we chat.   Social Networking is a really amazing technology - one I admit I am 100% addicted to.

Sharing and RTing

Free Publicity Rules!   One small Click by Man, is one huge Click for Mankind.

Sharing and RTing is an amazing way of getting the message across and "spreading the word"

I only have 68 friends on FB (I need to protect Lucas' photos) and 16 Followers on Twitter (louiselp333) as after all there's no point following me - as I am usually lost too.

Sharing in my mind works as follows.

I share something with my 68 friends.   Some of my friends have 250+ followers (wow!) so if  just 1 of those share my share, the viewing of my item has increased to 300+ - and if one of those 250 followers also shares  - the viewing has increased to 750+ and wow if more than one of those friends shared - my head cant take the math... but hopefully you can see how one tiny click can literally "spread the word!"  a real ripple effect.

RTing with Twitter has the same effect - and wow some people have incredible following numbers.

Don't you just love the potential of Social Networking?   

The Ants are Spreading the word around!

Told you this was a ramble-post.

It is Middle Sunday at Wimbledon.   I am a tennis fan, and I live 25 minutes from London (1 hour 25 minutes from Wimbledon) - I would love to have seen some of the matches - but there is no way I am prepared to camp for 2 days to see a tennis match.   British Tradition has now made this "Queue" impossible.

The Olympics are coming to Wimbledon in 3 weeks - and I have seen the Player List - and all the players of interest will be back at SW19 and thanks to my WONDERFUL Swiss friend - I have a ticket too!!!!  

Thank you thank you thank you and I am counting the days to seeing you again.

End of Ramble Post.

Love and Best wishes

This weekend

Lucas has spent most of this weekend in LucasLand - but again, he has been happy.   What do I do?  I am caught between a rock and a hard place - if I drag him outside to "do something" to entertain him - he may get stroppy and cause a meltdown.

On the plus side - I saved a fortune! - I "could" have taken him to a Farm - but he just didn't want to go.  So we had a quiet weekend.

Lucas has been so HAPPY!

He did go to Sunday School this morning - we made sure of this - and he had a lovely time.   They all really make him welcome there.   I helped Gyzelle with making Coffee and Tea for the Congregation afterwards.

Lucas rejected all my offerings for dinner today - so I decided.... PIZZA!

Dominos Pizza have a good deal on at the moment.

I KNOW I don't score any points for Excellent Parenting for this weekend,    This weekend my motto - was "anything for a quiet life.." and it seems to have worked.

Raspberry Cane Count!

This week I have collected 4 bowls of Raspberries from my "Organically Wild canes" - I checked the price of Raspberries in Sainsburys - and to my horror - they are on "special offer"   £4 reducted to £2 for 225g!

SO - I have "saved" either £16 or £8 already on my Raspberries this week - and the canes are overflowing with berries.

Raspberry Sauce, Raspberry Muffins, Raspberry Jam - here we come...